Pizza Buns

Baking bread is one of my favorite. To-date I have baked dozens of buns and breads be it sweet or savoury. Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked bread to kick start the day. Quality yeast are very important for a soft and spongy bread and proofing the yeast are equally important. I have failed in baking breads in my initial days but, improved overtime with much practice and tips from professional bakers. 

One such encounter is my pizza buns which is a hit among my girls. The bread are soft and fluffy,topped with savoury minced chicken and generously sprinkled with gooey mozzarella. I used bottled bolognese sauce for my shortcut version, you may make your own sauce for the recepi. The left over sauce can be used for pasta too. I love the minced chicken mixture as lightly seasoned with aromatic thyme and oregano which lends the flavour of pizza. The girls favorite are without doubt the melting mozzarella of course. This pizza buns are perfect for breakfast.

Ingredients

4 cups bread flour
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1/3 cup + 1 tsp granulated white sugar
1/3 cup butter,melted
1/2 cup warm milk
1 egg,slightly beaten
1 tsp salt

For The Toppings 

300g minced chicken

250g shredded mozzarella 

1 small red onion,finely chopped 

2 cloves garlic,minced

1 tsp paprika powder

1/2 tsp fresh/dried oregano 

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp black pepper powder

Salt to taste

3/4 cup bolognese sauce

8-10 black olives, sliced

3 tbsp olive oil 

Methods 

For The Buns

Using a stand mixer, fitted with dough hook add lukewarm water,yeast and 1 tsp sugar to the bowl. Stir and let the yeast to bloom for 5-10 mins.

In another mixing bowl, mix in melted butter,egg and milk. Add the mixture to the yeast. dd flour,salt and remaining 1/3 cup of sugar. Turn on the machine.

Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover with clean kitchen towel. Let the dough to rest in a warm place for 90 mins.

Punch down the dough and lightly dust a clean working surface with flour. Place the dough on working surface and divide them equally into 12-15 oval shaped balls.

Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover the dough with  it clean kitchen towel and let it rest for another 30 mins in a warm place.

For The Toppings 

Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium heat and add onions. Saute till translucent and add minced garlic. Saute for another 30 seconds. 

Add the minced chicken and saute for 2 minutes. Add the paprika,salt and pepper. Stir to combine. 

Add the fried thyme and oregano. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat. 

Smear the bolognese sauce over the bread, top with cooked minced chicken and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Add sliced olives. Repeat the same with the remaining toppings. 

Preheat oven at 350'F or 180'C and bake the oven in the middle tray of the oven for 20 mins till golden and the cheese melted. Remove from oven and cool the buns on cooling rack.

Serve warm.